Bleeding Yankee Blue: INFIELD HELP? YEP, THE YANKEES ARE STILL SEARCHING

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

INFIELD HELP? YEP, THE YANKEES ARE STILL SEARCHING

Source: NESN

As much as many would have liked to have seen it happen, Nolan Arenado is likely not going to be the infield help the Yankees are seeking. We have reported that here at BYB. Read THEY CALL HIM "NO GO" NOLAN. Although, there seemed to be a possibility early on in the trading season, the veteran infielder has been raising his no trade clause multiple times over the last couple of months, despite the Cardinals trying to find the right deal for the All Star third baseman. So, who is next? Help wanted and the Yankees are interested.

Source: The Seattle Times

"The New York Post reports that the Yankees have "checked in" on free-agent second baseman Jorge Polanco. Polanco, 31, is recovering from October knee surgery but should be ready for a full and normal camp. The switch-hitter is capable of manning multiple infield positions, and for his career he owns a solid 110 OPS+ across parts of 11 MLB seasons. The Mariners declined their $12 million option on Polanco for 2025, which allowed him to hit the market," stated CBS Sports.

Source: Denver Times

Hard to say at this point if the Yankees will go for this option. Another option is free agent infielder Brendan Rodgers. According to SI.com, "While Rodgers hasn't quite lived up to being the highly-touted No. 3 overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, the Gold Glove Award he won in 2022 combined with his steady .267/.314/.407 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 135 games played in 2024 shows that he could be a solid option to fill New York's second base vacancy." Another Rockie who could make his way to the Bronx to play second base, isn't that ironic?

Source: Sports Illustrated

Earlier this week, we posted about the possibility of adding San Diego Padre Luis Arraez and Dodger Gavin Lux, who recently committed to the Cincinnati Reds. The Arraez deal still puts Jazz Chisholm back at third base, which is a liability for the club. Not that Jazz isn't an incredible athlete, he's just not the best third baseman on the market.

An interesting development is the potential that Alec Bohm could become available via a trade. Phillies insider Jim Salisbury shared in the recent podcast, "The Phillies Show" on Monday, that Philadelphia could be looking to upgrade their hot corner. According to the Philly Voice, Salisbury reported, "I think their ears are still wide open on Alec Bohm. Some of that could shake out or maybe become more of a topic when [Alex] Bregman finds his landing spot. But then the [Nolan] Arenado piece is there. That whole third base thing, there seems to still be moving parts." And what if the Yankees could be on the receiving end of that? Wow, shave and a haircut and boom you are a Yankee, Alec!

So, the Help Wanted sign is up and the Yankees are taking applications. Third base needs to be filled.

Who's gonna be that guy?